MITSVA

Latest job numbers show no improvement

Sheree R. Curry — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:05:14 +0000

The job market is not nearly as hot as it once was. The December unemployment report released Friday shows we’re nearing an unemployment high. Although employers cut 85,000 jobs from payrolls and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 10%, it is just below the 10.8% peak hit in the 1982 recession. The figures dashed hopes that the final month of 2009 would be the first to show jobs being added back to the economy, reported Money magazine. With more than seven million jobs lost in the last two years, no one was looking for major job creation, but the report still contained many depressing numbers. Read more >>.

Minnesota fares better than nation, but not as well as our west side neighbor.

Here in the Twin Cities, we’re lucky. Our unemployment rate is only 7.0%, according to a report released a few days earlier. But if you want to fare even better, go just a tad west. South Dakota sits at a 4.5% unemployment rate and North Dakota at 3.7%. See how we stack up to other states.

Graphic artist and web designer for hire

Sheree R. Curry — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:51:40 +0000

Tom Mundahl, who created the logo for MITSVA, is a multi-talented artist. He is a musician, an illustrator, graphic designer and web site developer. He showcases all of these talents in his latest music video. If you know of anyone looking to hire a graphic artist, MITSVA has at least two in Tom and in Brad Dickinson, who created the MITSVA banner and other graphics for us.

Reverse mortgage good idea if you lost your job? Not so sure.

Sheree R. Curry — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:52:56 +0000

Are reverse mortgages a good option for seniors who have lost jobs, savings?

People age 62+ have the option of tapping their home equity through a reverse mortgage, where by the lender pays you a lump sum or monthly installments that you do not have to pay back until all the senior title holders of the home have passed away or moved out. Many seniors forced into early retirement or who were downsized or lost stock or retirement savings with the downturn in the economy, have turned to this option. With the aging Baby Boomer population, more are expected to do so in 2010. See what Mitsva’s Sheree R. Curry has to say about Reverse Mortgages in her HousingWatch.com article for AOL, illustrated by Mitsva volunteer Brad Dickinson (who is available to illustrate other projects if you know of anyone hiring).

Shuler to White House: Let’s Revive Manufacturing

tommyboye — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:56:30 +0000

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler joined Vice President Joe Biden and other leaders a Thursday December 20th meeting of the White House Middle Class Task Force. The topic: restoring our crippled manufacturing sector.

The White House Middle Class Task Force yesterday issued a framework detailing the challenges facing manufacturing, and Shuler delivered a message to the White House that fixing manufacturing must be a priority in building a stronger economy. More >>

How to Transition to a New Job

Sheree R. Curry — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:27:16 +0000

Harvey Goodman speaks at MITSVA December 8, 2009 on How to Transition to a New Job (Photos by Sheree R. Curry)

early a dozen people braved the heavy snow fall that blew across the Twin Cities on Tuesday to hear Harvey Goodman speak on “How to Transition to a New Job.”

The free seminar, held at MITSVA, 1712 Hopkins Crossroad, Minnetonka, is one of several that are held most Tuesday evenings.

Mr. Goodman discussed how networking is key to finding a new job and that networking should move beyond social tools and back to the basics: face-to-face networking.

More >>

As an ExecuNet letter that Mr. Goodman handed out, read: “Social tools … do not replace the need to actually meet people in person. Online activities like ‘friending’ business associates on Facebook or Tweeting about looking for a job cannot replace face-to-face meetings where people can get to know one another and trusted connections can be made.”

Lenny and Mila Krol follow up with guest speaker Harvey Goodman, after his free lecture at Mitsva on Tuesday December 8, 2009.

Mr. Goodman also spoke about how to prepare for a job interview and to handle those tough questions job seekers ultimately will encounter when sitting across from the representative of a potential new employer . He provided handouts that are prompts for interviewers for determining say, your motivation level for the job, persuasiveness if you’re in sales, your tenacity, organizational skills, work standards, listening abilities and sensitivity.

Sample interview questions:

What is a big obstacle you had to overcome to get where you are today?
What is the most important contribution you have made to your current position?
Describe a situation where you were too persistent. What happened?

For anyone seeking a change from their current employment situation, consider stopping by a future job seminar at Mitsva or networking group. The latter meets Fridays at 11 a.m. The next Tuesday seminar is about the sectors gaining most momentum with VC funding. It will be presented by Shai Goldman. See Mitsva Events for other upcoming opportunities. — Sheree R. Curry, MitsvaJobs.com

Best time to get a job might be sooner than you think

Sheree R. Curry — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:00:05 +0000

The time of year you apply for a job could make or break your chances with employers. So when are the best times of year to land a position?

With nearly 16 million Americans out of work and tending tirelessly to their job searches, some candidates may be ready for a little holiday break. But December could actually be the best time to reinvigorate your hunt, say some hiring managers. Read more >>

Jobless Rate Still Bleak, with 15.4 Million Workers Unemployed

Sheree R. Curry — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:40:23 +0000

Jobless Rate Still Bleak, with 15.4 Million Workers Unemployed

The nation’s unemployment rate moved from 10.2 percent to 10 percent in November, with 15.4 million American workers unemployed, according to U.S. Department of Labor data, but when both unemployed and underemployed workers are counted, there still are some 26 million people without jobs or full-time work. At the start of the recession in December 2007, there were 7.5 million jobless workers and the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent. Read More at Minnesota AFL-CIO >>

How Credit Rating Can Affect Your Ability to Get a Job

Sheree R. Curry — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:59:52 +0000

A Facebook fan of the Money Coach had heard that a bad credit rating could keep him from getting a job. He wanted to verify whether this is true and wanted to know where he find out about his credit rating. Read more >>

Does Your Business Card Represent You?

Sheree R. Curry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:01:45 +0000

Sandra Brick is leading two workshops on Friday, Nov. 20:

9:30am – 10:30am Business cards: projecting an updated professional image
11:00am – noon Networking effectively in the Twin Cities

1712 Hopkins Crossroads, Minnetonka, 55305

Minnesota industrial jobs down 6.4% over past two years

Sheree R. Curry — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:18:17 +0000

Industrial employment in Minnesota fell 6.4 percent over the past 24 months according to the 2010 Minnesota Manufacturers Register, an industrial directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News Inc. MNI reports Minnesota lost 31,185 manufacturing jobs over the past two years, with 8,745 jobs lost between September 2007 and September 2008 and 23,217 industrial jobs from 2008 to September of this year.

More >>